Charles Pic joins Virgin for Abu Dhabi test

Pic, 21, will be joined by Robert Wickens and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs during the three days of the test.

"I'd like to thank Marussia Virgin Racing for this opportunity to test a Formula 1 car for the first time," said Pic, who finished in fourth place in this year's GP2 Series.

"It's going to be a very special moment for me, one I have been waiting for my whole racing career! Formula 1 is my goal so I will be putting everything I have into the test and look forward to the experience of working with the team and learning as much as I can from them."

Quaife-Hobbs, who had already carried out straightline testing duties for Virgin will be the man in charge of driving on the morning of the opening day (Tuesday), with Pic taking over in the afternoon and then completing a full day of work on Wednesday.

Wickens will drive on Thursday.

"We're delighted to be able to offer Adrian, Charles and our Reserve Driver Robert Wickens seat time in the MVR-02 next week and in return we look forward to some convincing performances from all of them," said team principal John Booth.

"The Young Driver Test is a fantastic opportunity to see the cream of the next generation of talent in action for the various teams and to enable them to demonstrate that they have what it takes to progress to the highest level of motorsport.

"In the meantime of course, we've also had Robert in the car for Free Practice 1 today and it's been very rewarding to see him in action. We'll be keeping a close eye on all of them during the week ahead."